Ukraine's nuclear dependence on Russia will decline

Significance

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) account for over 50% of the electricity supply in Ukraine. Kyiv has been seeking to break its dependence on Russia in all spheres of the nuclear supply chain. With new contracts signed for conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication, a planned increase in domestic mining of uranium and the opening of a new waste storage position, Ukraine has demonstrated that it is possible to change the boundaries of what is a complex value chain with high barriers to entry.

Impacts

• Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s non-nuclear power plants will make NPPs even more important to Kyiv’s energy system.
• US sanctions on imports of enriched uranium from Russia are unlikely to affect the global price of fuel.
• The safety of the Zaporizhia NPP will be a source of concern for as long as the war continues.